Remote Work

The coronavirus has been a catalyst for the adoption of new workplace technologies and remote work. While many of us initially viewed remote work as a temporary situation, many companies are planning to establish mobile working as part of their “new normal”.

Siemens, for example, the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe, just announced that 140,000 of their employees can now permanently work from anywhere they wish "for an average of two-to-three days a week."

Organizations and leaders need to modify their approach to supporting and leading employees to suit these new ways of working. Here are some ways to support individuals who are working remotely:

• Ask employees about their home situation; some folks are thriving, while others are struggling

• Check in more frequently with employees, and create a culture of connectedness

• Offer flexibility in the way work is done, such as flexible working hours or piloting new work techniques

• Remember that time spent working is not the same as productivity; focus on outcomes rather than time spent online or in-office

• Encourage employees to set clear boundaries between work and home time, and model these behaviours as a leader

• Use automation and other technologies to facilitate collaboration, reduce monotonous work, and free up time to focus on what is essential

• Remember that none of items listed above can replace good leadership and continued investment in your people

I would love to connect with you to discuss how I can help support your organization.